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All-Time Most Runs in Test against WI

Originally posted on Crictoday | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 4:09 AM ET

When we discuss the India vs. West Indies rivalry, one name inevitably comes to mind: the great Sunil Gavaskar. This 5-foot-6-inch gentleman stood tall against the most fearsome bowling attack the cricketing world had ever seen. For nearly two decades, he single-handedly defied the Caribbean giants, turning their fiery pace into opportunities for his own brilliance.

Despite India’s frequent struggles to win matches during that period, one man consistently stood out. Gavaskar was the unwavering pillar of resistance, the batter who bore the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. With more than 13 centuries against the West Indies, including a spectacular 236* in Chennai, he cemented his place in cricketing history.

Gavaskar’s record against the West Indies is truly remarkable. Over 27 tests, he scored 2,749 runs at an impressive average of 65.45, the most by any player against the Caribbean side. What distinguishes this performance is not only the sheer number of runs scored but also the conditions under which they were scored.

At a time when most batsmen trembled at the sight of the fearsome West Indian pace battery, Sunil Gavaskar walked out with calm eyes and a straight bat, turning fear into history. Without the luxury of modern helmets or reinforced protection, he relied solely on flawless technique, quick reflexes, and supreme mental strength.

While the West Indies dominated world cricket at that time, Gavaskar remained the one opponent they could never truly break, a master technician who met their fire with grace, grit, and genius.

Why This Stat Reflects Greatness in Test Cricket

Test cricket has always been the ultimate format of the game, and the era in which Sunil Gavaskar faced the mighty West Indies was unlike anything modern players experience today. The pitches were often unpredictable, the protective gear was minimal, and the bowling attacks were truly ferocious. Fast bowlers like Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, and Andy Roberts didn’t just bowl fast; they attacked with precision, aggression, and pure intimidation.

Against the most feared bowling attack in world cricket, Gavaskar built an extraordinary legacy. His batting was never about brute power; it was defined by flawless technique, calm temperament, and unmatched grit. Every run he scored came through skill, patience, and courage. In those fiery battles, Gavaskar turned some of the most hostile Caribbean arenas into his own personal stage, leaving behind a legacy that still commands respect.

What made his success even more remarkable was his consistency. Whether it was the steamy heat of Port of Spain or the cauldron of Sabina Park, he batted with the same calm, scoring runs where others failed to survive. He neutralized bouncers with elegant hooks, left dangerous deliveries with surgical precision, and punished anything loose.

Top 5 All-Time Top Run Scorers in Tests against West Indies

1. Sunil Gavaskar – 2749 runs

Sunil Gavaskar played for the Indian cricket team between 1971 and 1987
Sunil Gavaskar was a cornerstone of the Indian batting order throughout his time, and his most notable efforts came against the West Indies, the most feared team in the 1970s and 1980s. Gavaskar became the first cricketer in history to make four centuries in his debut series, and he did so against an opponent that had previously scared the cricketing world. He also achieved a career high score of 236 against the same opponents.
Sunil Gavaskar also maintained an impressive average of more than 65 in Test matches against WI.

2. Jacques Kallis – 2356 runs

Jacques Kallis represented the South African cricket team from 1995 to 2014
Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. Throughout his illustrious career, he amassed more than 20,000 international runs and claimed over 500 wickets. In addition to these remarkable achievements, Kallis is the second-highest run-scorer against the West Indies in Test cricket.
Kallis has been excellent against the West Indies, maintaining a massive average of 73.62, the highest by any player against them. He also scored eight centuries in just 24 matches, demonstrating his dominance over one of the strongest bowling attacks in the world.

3. Geoffrey Boycott – 2205 runs

Geoffrey Boycott represented England from 1964 to 1982
Geoffrey Boycott is a renowned English batting legend and was a strong pillar of the team that finished as runners-up in the 1979 World Cup. Although England lost the 1979 final to the West Indies, Boycott’s personal record against the Caribbean side is phenomenal. In just 29 Test matches, he scored 2,205 runs at an impressive average of 45. He also notched up five centuries, with a highest score of 128, consistently proving himself against one of the most formidable bowling attacks of his era.

4. Graham Gooch – 2197

Graham Gooch represented the England cricket team from 1975 to 1995.
Graham Gooch captained the England cricket team and was unquestionably one of the best batsmen the country has produced. Scoring runs against the West Indies in the 1980s and 1990s was a difficult chore, but Gooch was one of the few batters who did so with amazing consistency. In only 26 Tests against the Caribbean, he amassed 2,197 runs at an outstanding 44.

5. Steve Waugh – 2192

Steve Waugh is a former Australian batsman and captain who played for Australia from 1985 to 2004.
Steve Waugh was one of the most formidable Australian batsmen, renowned for his impeccable technique and composed temperament under pressure. Beyond his stellar individual performances, he also played a pivotal role in leading Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup. Waugh’s record against the West Indies is equally impressive. In just 32 Test matches, he scored 2,192 runs at an average of 49, including a highest score of 200, proving his ability to dominate one of the most challenging bowling attacks of his era.